Pope John Paul 11.

John Paul II, who was born in Poland, in 1978 was the first non-Italian pope since Adrian VI of the Netherlands.

The Shrine Today: The Grounds Chapel on Friday, April 1, 2005

The body of Pope John Paul II lies in state at the Vatican. The body will be transferred Monday afternoon for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica.

The body of Pope John Paul II lies at the Vatican during a private viewing. (Gianni Giansanti, Getty Images)

Cardinal Noe blesses the body of Pope John Paul II in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.

Thousands crowd St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday as they attend a Mass for the repose of Pope John Paul II's soul.

A poster of Jesus is seen among a crowd of people gathered for a Mass for the Pope at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

Applause rang out when Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dressed in golden vestments, prayed for the pope's soul at the start of the Mass in St. Peter's Square.

A Swiss guard stands by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, center, during Mass in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

Cardinals and bishops are pictured during an open air Mass in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

A man prays holding a rosary as thousands of at a Mass at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

Pope John Paul II, Angelus, December 19, 1999

Dearest Brothers and Sisters!

Today's Sunday brings us to the last week of Advent: next Saturday is Christmas, and before the solemn midnight Mass, the Holy Door will be opened, inaugurating the Great Jubilee of 2000 years since the birth of Christ.

Mehmet Ali Agca shot John Paul in the abdomen on May 13, 1981, while the pope was riding in an open car. He has given conflicting reasons for the attack, and his motives remain unclear.

As the pope's chamberlain, Spanish Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo will be the most powerful man at the Vatican until a new pontiff is named.

Time October 30, 1978

The Shrine Today: The Grounds Chapel in front of On Friary. April 2005

"We will always remember the humble,
wise and fearless priest who became one of history's great moral leaders.
~President Bush~

"Cardinals and Bishops pray by the body of Pope John Paul II in the Clementine Hall in Vatican City.

Pope John Paul 11

Powerful Spiritual Leader Dies After Long Struggle

1920 - 2005

VATICAN CITY (April 2) - Pope John Paul II, who helped topple communism in Europe and left a deeply conservative stamp on the church that he led for 26 years, has died after a long public struggle against debilitating illness. He was 84.

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